Abstract: A gastroscopic apparatus for inspecting a body channel is described. The apparatus comprises an insertion tube, an operating handle, a dispenser, which is detachably coupled to the insertion tube, a covering sleeve, which is retained within the dispenser, and a mouthpiece, which is provided with a means for arresting the dispenser within the mouthpiece. Upon arresting the dispenser within the mouthpiece and advancement of the insertion tube within the body channel, the covering sleeve extends from the dispenser and deploys around the insertion tube to protect from contamination that portion of the insertion tube, which had passed the dispenser.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus and fluid supply unit is described. The endoscopic apparatus comprises an insertion member for insertion into said body lumen and having at least one channel through which a fluid medium is supplied to the body lumen. The endoscopic apparatus further comprises an operation handle, a control unit for controlling supply of the fluid medium, a fluid supply unit and a means for delivering said fluid medium from said fluid supply unit to said channel. The fluid supply unit is provided with at least one refillable or replaceable container for storing the fluid medium therein and for supplying the fluid medium to the channel upon receiving a signal from the control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for endoscopic examination of a body passage includes a flexible endoscope and an inflatable sleeve, which upon inflation is capable of propelling the endoscope within the body passage. The endoscope is provided with a proximal end and with a distal end, which comprises an insertion tube, a bending section and a probe. The sleeve comprises a rear folded portion and a frontal unfolded portion. The sleeve is detachably coupled with the insertion tube, wherein the rear portion of the sleeve is located behind the bending section. During the endoscopic examination the rear portion unfolds upon inflation and propels the endoscope within the body passage, while the frontal portion remains deflated and covers the bending section and the probe.

Abstract: Endoscopic apparatus is provided, having a distal end (102) for insertion into a body of a patient and a proximal end that is held outside the body of the patient. The apparatus includes a proximal cylinder (404), disposed in a vicinity of the proximal end of the endoscopic apparatus. A proximal piston (406) is slidably contained within the proximal cylinder. A distal cylinder (328) is disposed in a vicinity of the distal end of the endoscopic apparatus, and a distal piston (310) is slidably contained within the distal cylinder. A tube (402) for containing a liquid is coupled between the proximal and distal cylinders. A tool (e.g., biopsy tool 115) is coupled to be actuated by displacement of the distal piston, so as to perform a mechanical action on tissue of the body or contents of the body, responsive to displacement of the distal piston.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for endoscopic examination of a tubular conduit are described. The apparatus is provided with an insertion tube fitted at a distal end thereof with an optical head for visualization of the conduit's interior. The insertion tube is coupled with a major inflatable sleeve, which upon inflation is capable of propelling the endoscope within the conduit. The insertion tube is also coupled with the at least one auxiliary inflatable sleeve, which upon inflation thereof provides additional propelling force for advancement of the insertion tube within the conduit. By inflating the major sleeve and the at least one auxiliary sleeve, it is possible to distribute the propulsion force along the insertion tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for sheathing an endoscopic tool is described. The apparatus is suitable for sheathing the tool when it is displaced in a proximal direction from a working channel of an endoscope. The apparatus comprises a sheathing assembly, which is attachable to a proximal port of the endoscope and to the endoscopic tool. Within the sheathing assembly is deployed a folded, flexible sleeve adapted to unfold from the assembly when the tool is retracted in the proximal direction from the working channel. The sheathing assembly is designed to allow displacement of the tool through the sheathing assembly in a distal direction and simultaneous retraction of the tool together with the sheathing assembly in the proximal direction.

Abstract: The device for lubricating an endoscopic tool comprises a housing accommodating therein a retaining bushing for receiving the surgical tool thereinto. The bushing is provided with a longitudinal through going bore extending between an entry opening and an exit opening. The bore is filled up with a lubricating material and said entry and said exit opening are covered by a respective entry and exit closure that is piercable by the endoscopic tool during insertion thereof in the bushing through the entry opening and protracting thereof distally along the bore.

Abstract: A garment (20) to be worn by a patient (22) during endoscopy is cut and sized to fit snugly around a pelvic area of the patient, such that when the garment (20) is worn by the patient (22), the fabric defines two leg holes and an aperture (28), which is positioned adjacent to a body orifice of the patient (22) so as to permit insertion of an endoscope (40) through the aperture (28) into the body orifice.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for sheathing an endoscope (22) includes a dispenser (24), having entry and exit ports (36, 39) defining a transit passage through which the endoscope may pass, and a flexible sleeve (26), at least a portion of which is bunched in a vicinity of the dispenser. The sleeve includes a distal end (28), which is closed, and a proximal end, which is open and fixed to the dispenser so that as the endoscope is advanced in a distal direction through the transit passage, the endoscope enters into the sleeve through the proximal end and engages the distal end of the sleeve, thus causing the bunched portion of the sleeve to be extended so as to cover a distal part of the endoscope that protrudes through the exit port.

Abstract: An optical head for an endoscope is fitted with an imaging system comprising a solid state imaging sensor and with an illuminating system comprising illuminating means, e.g. LED's. At least one illuminating means is defined by a parameter, which value is different from the value of the same parameter of the remaining illuminating means. Among the parameters are luminous intensity, luminous intensity distribution angle, and direction of the longitudinal axis of the illuminating means.

Abstract: A control system for supplying fluid medium to an endoscopic apparatus which comprises an operation handle and an insertion tube provided with an insufflation channel, an irrigation channel and a suction channel extending therealong. The control system is provided with a system control unit with at least one source of a first fluid medium, with a source of a second fluid medium, with a source of vacuum and with a multifunctional connector for bringing the operation handle in fluid and electrical communication with the system control unit. The source of the first fluid medium and the source of the second fluid medium are simultaneously connectable to and disconnectable from the insufflation channel and the irrigation channel.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus including an internal unit, adapted to be advanced into a gastrointestinal tract of a patient so as to enable inspection of the tract, an anchor unit, adapted to be held in a position outside the gastrointestinal tract and a flexible sleeve, having a proximal end fixed to the anchor and a distal end fixed to the internal unit, wherein at least a portion of the sleeve between the proximal end distal ends is held initially in a compact state at the internal unit and is arranged to feed out from the internal unit as the internal unit is advanced into the gastrointestinal tract. A method for endoscopic examination is also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus including an internal unit, adapted to be advanced into a gastrointestinal tract of a patient so as to enable inspection of the tract, an anchor unit, adapted to be held in a position outside the gastrointestinal tract and a flexible sleeve, having a proximal end fixed to the anchor and a distal end fixed to the internal unit, wherein at least a portion of the sleeve between the proximal end distal ends is held initially in a compact state at the internal unit and is arranged to feed out from the internal unit as the internal unit is advanced into the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: A connector is described, which is suitable for establishing flow communication between passages of a multilumen tubing used with an endoscopic apparatus and between tubes for supplying fluid medium to the multilumen tubing. The connector is adapted for insertion and retraction of a surgical instrument therethrough. The connector comprises a main body portion provided with a through-going bore, which longitudinally extends along the main body portion. The main body portion further comprises a plurality of lateral ports, which are in flow communication with the through going bore. The bore is adapted for insertion thereinto and removal therefrom of a proximal end of the multilumen tubing. The lateral ports are adapted for receiving thereinto the tubes for supplying the fluid medium.

Abstract: A method and device for cutting and sealing of disposable multilumen tubing is disclosed. The method comprises providing a first surface and an opposite second surface, placing a portion of the multilumen tubing between the first and the second surface and applying heat and pressure to at least one of the first and the second surface so as to plastically deform and cut the said portion of the multilumen tubing and to heat-seal the cut ends thereof. The device for cutting and sealing comprises a first jaw and juxtaposed therewith a second jaw, said first and said second jaw are provided with respective first and second surface. The device further comprises biasing member exerting pressure on at least one of the said first and the second surface and a source of energy suitable for heating of at least one of the said first and the second surface.

Abstract: A disposable set for use with an endoscope is described. The set comprises a dispenser provided with a longitudinal transit passage adapted for passing the endoscope therealong. The dispenser stores a disposable multilumen tubing fitted at a distal end thereof with a cap that is detachably connectable to an optical head of the endoscope. The dispenser is fitted with a protective sleeve adapted to cover the endoscope during the endoscopic procedure. The dispenser is adapted for receiving a lubricant and distributing thereof within the transit passage.

Abstract: Apparatus for sheathing an endoscopic tool includes a sheathing assembly, which includes a sleeve dispenser and a port adapter for mating with a proximal port of an endoscopic working channel so as to permit the endoscopic tool to be advanced through the sheathing assembly into the working channel. A flexible sleeve in the sheathing assembly has a distal end, which is fixed to the sleeve dispenser, and a proximal end, which is adapted to engage the endoscopic tool as the endoscopic tool is retracted from the working channel, causing the sleeve to extend out of the dispenser in a proximal direction so as to sheath the endoscopic tool.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus including an internal unit, adapted to be advanced into a gastrointestinal tract of a patient so as to enable inspection of the tract, an anchor unit, adapted to be held in a position outside the gastrointestinal tract and a flexible sleeve, having a proximal end fixed to the anchor and a distal end fixed to the internal unit, wherein at least a portion of the sleeve between the proximal end distal ends is held initially in a compact state at the internal unit and is arranged to feed out from the internal unit as the internal unit is advanced into the gastrointestinal tract. A method for endoscopic examination is also disclosed.

Abstract: Endoscopic apparatus which advances within a lumen (40) includes a probe (20) having distal and proximal ends and a flexible sleeve (26) coupled proximally to the probe. The sleeve is inflated in order to propel the probe within the lumen. The probe typically includes an imaging device (28), which captures images inside the lumen.

Abstract: A video endoscope includes a generally rigid; elongate insertion member having distal and proximal ends, and a video camera head fixed at the distal end of the insertion member. A sheath fits over and covers the insertion member, the sheath having a distal portion covering the video camera head, at least a section of which distal portion is substantially transparent. The distal portion of the sheath further including a narrowed tip comprising two or more leaves which are closed during insertion through the anus and open apart after insertion to expose the transparent section of the distal portion of the sheath.